The purpose of this additional hearing date is for the Commission to take limited additional evidence to supplement the record to address the Commissioners’ questions at the February 9, 2010, Agenda Conference in this final action to determine the ...

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

The Florida Public Service Commission announces a prehearing conference and an additional hearing date in the following docket to which all persons are invited.

DOCKET NO. AND TITLE: Docket Number 090451-EM – Joint petition to determine need for Gainesville Renewable Energy Center in Alachua County, by Gainesville Regional Utilities and Gainesville Renewable Energy Center, LLC.

PREHEARING CONFERENCE

DATE AND TIME: Monday, April 5, 2010, 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Room 148, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of this additional prehearing conference is to: (1) consider the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (2) identify exhibits; (3) establish an order of witnesses; and (4) consider such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action.

HEARING

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:30 a.m.

PLACE: Room 148, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of this additional hearing date is for the Commission to take limited additional evidence to supplement the record to address the Commissioners’ questions at the February 9, 2010, Agenda Conference in this final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.519, Florida Statutes (F.S.), for Gainesville Regional Utilities’ (GRU’s) and Gainesville Renewable Energy Center, LLC’s (GREC’s), proposed renewable energy electrical power plant to be constructed in Alachua County and to consider any motions or other matters that may be pending at the time of the hearing. The Commission may rule on any such motions from the bench or may take the matters under advisement. This proceeding shall: (1) allow GRU and GREC to provide supplemental evidence and testimony of a limited nature to address the Commissioners’ questions related to the petition for a determination of need for the proposed renewable energy electrical power plant; (2) permit any intervenors to present testimony and exhibits in response to GRU and GREC’s supplemental evidence and testimony; (3) permit members of the public who are not parties to the need determination proceeding the opportunity to present public testimony concerning this matter; and (4) allow for such other purposes as the Commission may deem appropriate. This additional hearing is scheduled for one day. Any additional hearing dates may be announced by the Commission at the hearing.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Any member of the public who wishes to offer testimony should be present at the beginning of the additional hearing date on Thursday, April 15, 2010. By providing public testimony, a person does not become a party to the proceeding. To become an official party of record, you must file a Petition for Intervention at least five days before the final hearing, pursuant to the requirements contained in Rule 25-22.039, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). All public witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

The additional hearing date will be governed by the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S.; Section 403.519, F.S.; and Chapters 25-22 and 28-106, F.A.C. Only limited supplemental testimony relating to the need for the renewable energy electrical power plant will be heard at the April 15, 2010, additional hearing date. Separate public hearings may be held before the Division of Administrative Hearings to consider environmental and other impacts of the proposed power plants, as required by the “Power Plant Siting Act,” Sections 403.501-403.519, F.S.

Any person requiring some accommodation at this meeting because of a physical impairment is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting: Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

For more information, you may contact: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850.

Emergency Cancellation of the Additional Hearing Date: If a named storm or other disaster requires cancellation of the additional hearing date, Commission staff will attempt to give timely direct notice to the parties. Notice of cancellation will also be provided on the Commission’s website (http://www.psc.state.fl.us/) under the Hot Topics link found on the home page. Cancellation can also be confirmed by calling the Office of the General Counsel at [phone].

For more information, you may contact: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of the Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, [phone].